October 24, 2025 • 29 mins
🎙️ INSIGHT with Loraine Ballard Morrill In this episode of Insight, we celebrate the power of art, advocacy, and community. First, we’re joined by the legendary Melba Moore — Tony Award-winning singer, actress, and trailblazer — along with Dyana Williams, acclaimed radio personality and music activist, and David Weisberg, Chief Development Officer at the Mazzoni Center. Together, they’ll share details about Mazzoni Center Honors Melba Moore, happening Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This star-studded celebration will pay tribute to Melba Moore’s extraordinary career spanning Broadway, R&B, rock, and gospel, featuring an all-star lineup of performers across genres. The evening supports the Mazzoni Center’s mission to advance LGBTQ health equity and uplift Philadelphia’s creative community.
🎟️ Tickets & Info: mazzonicenter.org/honors
📍 Location: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia
🗓️ Date & Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 – 7:30 PM
Then, as we approach the 2025 elections, we turn our focus to Pennsylvania’s children and families. Kevin Burgess from the Children First Action Fund joins us, along with parents Samia Evans-Bolling, Regina Brown, and Jazmin Banks, to discuss how judicial elections impact school funding, child welfare, and public safety — and why it’s essential for voters to make informed choices this November.
🌐 Learn more: childrenfirstactionfund.org/judicial-voter-guide
Finally, we’ll share an excerpt from the AIDS Walk Philly Retrospective, honoring four decades of compassion, activism, and progress in the fight against HIV — a moving reminder of resilience, remembrance, and hope.
🎟️ Tickets & Info: mazzonicenter.org/honors
📍 Location: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia
🗓️ Date & Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 – 7:30 PM
Then, as we approach the 2025 elections, we turn our focus to Pennsylvania’s children and families. Kevin Burgess from the Children First Action Fund joins us, along with parents Samia Evans-Bolling, Regina Brown, and Jazmin Banks, to discuss how judicial elections impact school funding, child welfare, and public safety — and why it’s essential for voters to make informed choices this November.
🌐 Learn more: childrenfirstactionfund.org/judicial-voter-guide
Finally, we’ll share an excerpt from the AIDS Walk Philly Retrospective, honoring four decades of compassion, activism, and progress in the fight against HIV — a moving reminder of resilience, remembrance, and hope.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Ballad Morrel. Today we're joined by
Children First, a leading advocacy organization. They're launching a vital
information campaign ahead of the upcoming judicial election races that
often fly under the radar but have a major impact
on our families, schools, and communities. We'll share an excerpt
(00:21):
from the AIDS Walk Philly retrospective, celebrating four decades of compassion,
activism and progress. But first we're going to talk about
an exciting upcoming fundraiser that will honor one of entertainment's
true icons. We have an incredible upcoming event, the Mazzoni
Center Honors Melbourne More, happening on Monday, November three at
(00:42):
seven point thirty at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
This star studded celebration will pay tribute to the trailblazing singer, actress,
and Tony Award winning Melbournmore, featuring an all star lineup
of performers across genres from Broadway to r and B
rock and gospel, all in support of Mazzoni's Center's mission
to advances LGBTQ health equity, and I am so excited
(01:04):
to introduce my guests. They include David Weisberg, who's chief
development officer for the Mazzoni Center, the legendary Deanna Williams,
radio personality, music activist in one of Philadelphia's most influential
voices in entertainment, and of course, the legendary Melviamore joining
us all today. Now let's start with you, David, because
(01:26):
let's talk about the reason why we're celebrating, and that
is to support the Mazzoni Center. Briefly, tell us who
you are and who you serve.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Mazzoni Center is a unique organization, not only in Philadelphia,
but in the entire country. We are a comprehensive health
and wellness center serving the LGBTQ community, built on a
model of providing comprehensive, whole person integrated care. This is
our forty sixth year of existence. We now serve fifteen
(01:56):
thousand patients and clients a year, and for many of
the folks who to us for care, we know that
Mazzoni Center is the only place they feel safe coming
for care. If we did not exist, they would simply
go unserved. And we have a core commitment to health
equity making sure that nobody is turned away from care
because they can't afford the cost of care. And that
(02:17):
is what this benefit supports. The funds that we raise
at an event honoring Melbamore will help to save lives
of those who would otherwise never have a place that
they could receive care.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Before we speak to Melburmore, I'm going to have Deanna
set the table for us a little bit. You've been
a part of so many historic moments in music, but
Melbamore is someone who has her career span Broadway. It's
R and B and gospel. I want if you can
tell us what does Melburnmore mean to you? What does
(02:49):
she mean to the music industry as someone who is
right smack and dab in the middle of all that.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Well, first of all, thank you Lorraine so much for
having us on today to speak about melbamore'sis Melbournmore was
one of the first artists that when I was a
young woman growing up in New York, I heard about
her before I got to meet her, because she was
a star on Broadway. We cannot forget and I was
elated when David called me and said, Melburmore is our
(03:15):
honoree this year, and I was like, so richly deserving.
You hear that term, but in this case, so richly
deserving Lorraine because she was a pioneer in Broadway in entertainment.
Melba also had a management company, Hush Productions, which was
the rave everybody talked about, you know, the discovery of
talents like Freddie Jackson. She brought us a cavalcade of artists.
(03:40):
But she is the pride of New Jersey and New
York and people who know know, and people who don't
know are about to find out. I support the mission
of the Mazzoni Center, as David so eloquently stated, forty
six years of providing services to an underrepresented community that
doesn't just or the kind of negativity it gets from
(04:03):
some other communities. These are human beings. These are our
fellow human beings. So we get to honor Melbye Moore,
who has been an advocate for LBGTQIA plus people when
it wasn't popular, when people were not talking about it.
She was there so pioneer and arts and entertainment in business.
We are celebrating a dynamic American woman.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Melville Moore. You have such a storied career and certainly
deserving of so many honors, and yet you chose to
be honored by the Mazzoni Center. And I wonder if
you can tell us why you're allowing the Mazzoni Center
and all the people that are surrounding this event to
embrace you and to honor you. You could be honored
(04:47):
a million different ways, but why did you choose to
be honored by Mazzoni Center.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Well, if I'm going to be honored for something, I
would be honored to be honored for giving healthcare to
people who might otherwise not get it and uniting us
as the human family, and being known for a person
who always did that, if it was behind the scenes
or in front, or wherever I was, to be a
proud member of the whole human family.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Yeah, Melbournmore, you really first broke into our awareness as
a Broadway star, but you've gone on to have tremendous
success in the music business in general. And looking as
you see the arc of your career, what do you
say to young up and coming artists who just beginning
in a very different kind of world of music than
the one that you started out. And I mean, there's
(05:35):
so much that's happening technologically AI and everything like that
with streaming and stuff. I wonder if you had any
thoughts about about what you would tell, you know, people
trying to come up and be like you melbournmore.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Well, first of all, I would listen to them because
the things that they are experiencing. I can't even get
on what do you call this here thing without my
daughter helping. So we had to hear wisdom because we
come from two different time frames and they're very different.
But some of the things that are common is whatever
did you want to do, try to learn about it,
Try to be excellent, excellent at it first, don't worry
(06:09):
about making money or fame. First, get up and do it.
Maybe you don't even quite know what it is, and
people get feedback from people, touch it and relate to
your immediate environment, community with family. And then I would say,
whatever assets you have, such a great assets today in
terms of getting to the public or getting to somebody
outside of your personal circle immediately, and it can be
(06:32):
global immediately. But whatever access you have to that, you
still have to be you. You still have to be excellent,
So keep that in mind. First, I would say that
quality is still the first thing that you have to
have and I think the first thing I would say,
try to be a good human being first.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Absolutely, And I love that you talk about learning from
young people, because that's really the secret probably if you're
a success, and to anyone who's successful, is to never
think that you know everything and to always be learning. Deanna,
I know that because of your incredible reach in the
community of music, you guys have put together an amazing program,
and I wonder if you can briefly tell us who
(07:10):
we're going to be able to experience for this wonderful
tribute to melvinmore Well.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
I will tell you that a couple of my girlfriends,
David gets the credit for putting the program together. I
am merely a part of the program of people who
admire the trail blazing path that melburnmore has created for millions.
I was telling someone recently, you know, people always talk
about Mariah Carey and her five octave range, Minnie Riperton
(07:36):
and her five octave range. But before them, there was
Melbourne Moore and again an actress, an entrepreneur, you know, television, Broadway,
don't leave, let's just the gamut. I don't think Melboa
is an Egott officially, but in my mind she was
an egot before I even learned what the term totally
(07:57):
meant for Emmy Grammy Oscar and you know, because she
is that pioneer. But David gets the credit to Watha Age.
Dear girlfriend, she's on the program, Lisa Fisher. I can't wait.
We're talking about some of the best singers, Lisa, Lisa, Okay, yeah, yeah, David,
(08:20):
go ahead, go ahead.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Breaking news, breaking news here, David. That's great. Deanna gives
you credit for pulling together this really all star lineup,
and it really is amazing. Savvi and Glover for one thing.
You know, I am a big, huge fan of his,
and the list goes on. There's so many people, but
you've put together an amazing program that's going to be
(08:43):
absolutely one hundred percent rich in entertainment and music. And
I wonder if you can just once again tell us
why should people come to this event and how do
they get tickets to this extraordinary tribute to Melbolmore.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
And they should come because it's going to be this
amazing night of music, magic and meaning. Together. Telling Melba's
story through music and weaving in the powerful story of
Mazzoni Center is what we do best, and to do
it just in an extraordinary way, with surprises, with interesting
interpretations of Melba's repertoire. We want to make it as
(09:17):
entertaining for Melba as we do for everybody else, and
it's just going to be an unforgettable night from beginning
to end. You can get tickets at the Kimmel Center
box office or at Mazzonicenter dot org slash.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Honor Yes another and we have tickets Lorraine starting as
low as thirty five dollars for the Marion Anderson Hall
at the Ensemble Arts Campus the Kimmel Center on Broadway,
and so very affordable for what's going to be a
rich evening of celebration. Tribute one of my favorites to Melbour.
(09:50):
I don't know if you know that Savion Glover is
part of the tribute and I'm a huge fan of his.
When David told me Savian, I was like, let's go
the star studied evening of Broadway performers. You know, it's
a mix of people, but David gets the credit for
putting them together. I'm just Katty Jackson.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Patty Jackson is.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
Part of the program as well. Melbourne. We should also
mentioned that you.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Were was and our host is Solidad O'Brien, Yes.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
You've gour host of Solidad ran unbelievable. Well, Melbourne, I'm
sure there are even more surprises that will be unfolded
before your eyes on that extraordinary.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
This is going to be exquisite.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Well, I know that's for sure true, and that is
The Mazzoni Center honors Melbamore Monday, November third, seven thirty
at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to celebrate Melbaymore,
a legend and certainly to be able to experience the
wonderful legendary Deanna Williams and Patty Jackson and offer the
great cause of supporting the Mazzoni Center. I want to
(10:55):
thank you all for joining us. David Weisberg, who is
a Chief Development Officer for Mazone Center, Deanna Williams, the
legendary radio personality, music activist and one of Philadelphia's most
influential voices entertainment, and of course, the one, the only,
the extraordinary Melvinemore, thank you so much for joining us today.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Thanks j Louring.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
As we approach the twenty twenty five elections, the stakes
couldn't be higher for Pennsylvania's children and families decisions made
by our states court to shape everything from school funding
to child welfare to public safety. Joining us are Kevin Burgess,
who leads outreach and voter education for the Children First
Action Fund, along with Parents Samea Evans Bulling, Regina Brown,
(11:46):
and Jasmine Banks, each bringing a unique perspective on how
the justice system impacts kids and families. Together, they're helping
voters understand why judicial elections matter and how to make
informed choices. Is this November, Kevin? Why does the Children
First Action Fund believe judicial elections are so critical to
(12:07):
the future of Pennsylvania's children and families.
Speaker 7 (12:10):
As you mentioned, Pennsylvania's courts make decisions every day that
impacts children and families. They are deciding on things about
like if families can access clean water, what sort of
education students receive, They deal with child welfare issues. So
in nearly every aspect of children in families' lives, the
(12:31):
courts play a role. And here in Pennsylvania, we're incredibly
lucky that we get to choose the judges that sit
on our courts. We're one of the few states in
the country where voters elect judges. However, these elections often
have very low turnout and it can be very challenging
to find information on the candidates. And so you know,
(12:53):
this election season, we have endeavored to evaluate and engage
judicial care candidates so that we can educate the public
and voters can understand where the judges and candidates stand
on issues that impact children and families.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
All Right, we're going to return to that in just
a minute, but I'd like to talk to Sama. As
a parent passionate about education and fair funding, what connections
do you see between our school systems and the decisions
made in the courts.
Speaker 8 (13:21):
Well, I first realized that as a parents have the power,
and I think that a lot of what happens in
the school district and the courts is it's kind of
like a lapse in between because a lot of people
don't know how our judicial system works here and not
only the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but also the city. So
I'm thankful for our organization like Children's First that we
(13:43):
are able to have parent advocacy meetings and info sessions
where we have access to learn about how the judicial
process works. This past school year, I was involved to
be on the Pennsylvania Education Champions and that was a
parent cohort that I did along with people in Harrisburg
that are really fighting to make change and let parents'
voices be heard, because if we don't know these things,
(14:05):
a lot of people don't show up.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
You know.
Speaker 8 (14:07):
Statistics show that with outside of the presidential election, in
a mayoral election, a lot of people forget about things
that are important, like judges and how these everyday decisions
impact not only our lives, our students' lives, and it
carries over as well as to the juvenile justice system,
school funding and things that our schools and our children
need right now. And we still are waiting for a
(14:30):
budget to be passed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so
that's something that is carrying over as well, because as
long as we don't have a budget, things aren't able
to be put in place. And it's just really important
that parents are informed and we are allowed to have
a voice that lets us know that we have organizations
again like Children's First, that let us know what's happening
(14:50):
and how we can make our voices heard not only
in our local courts, but also our state wide courts
because again, as Cavin mentioned, Pennsylvania is one of the
few states where we're a commonwealth where we're allowed to
pick our judges, where in Pennsylvania heavily influences you know
what happens in Washington. So this is a highly hot
election that people need to be made more aware of.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Regina, you've experienced firsthand how the juvenile justice system impacts families.
What changes would you like to see from the bench
to better serve young people.
Speaker 9 (15:17):
I would like to see the young people being able to
stay in their environment, to stay in their neighborhood and
their community, and receive the help and the things that
they need to help them. I guess rebuild rehability, get
mental health services and things like that.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
Can you tell us a little more about how you
relate to this particular issue.
Speaker 9 (15:36):
I have a child that was navigating the juvenile justice system.
He was like put into placement. Now he's in delt prison.
But I also have another son that actually got into
some trouble, and for him the situation was different. He
was offered like first time Offenders program where instead of
like punishing him, as long as he stays out of trouble,
(15:59):
he's able to be introduced to things that we would
like have to normally fight for like mentor programs. He's
in the basketball program, he gets weekly checking.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
So you see how different policies can really impact your
children differently. So your first son had one way of
relating to the juvenile justice system, but your second son,
your other son, is able to navigate in a way
that seems to be more supportive and more able to
get him through the system in a positive way.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Is that right?
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Yes, Well, Jasmine, your experience in family court highlight how
parents and can can sometimes be sidelined. What would a
more compassionate and inclusive court system look like to you?
Speaker 6 (16:44):
Well, thank you for the question, and thank you for
allowing the lived experience to have a voice, and of
course thanks to Children's First for being two champions for children.
So your question in terms of first, let me if
I could surround it. If you will real quickly that
I'm inside parent, so I come from an inside perspective
who's unfortunately had positive and negative experiences within the family court. Well,
(17:09):
a compassionate system would certainly look like having some knowledge
of the lived experience of people, especially who are raising
children with disabilities. For example, I've raised fifteen children and
I adopted five older sons who lived with very very
serious disabilities, so everything from autism and intellectual disabilities to
bipolar schizophrenia and medical issues like in stage COPD, seize
(17:32):
your disorders, etc. So for those families who are very vulnerable,
like me and like Regina mentored, we have children with disabilities,
it's different. So you would hope that people would first
get to get to understand us. It's hard. If you
haven't lived in our shoes, you really may not understand
what it's like to really raise very challenging children who
often aren't liked by the way by the public. So
(17:53):
you hope that the judges would have a relationship with us,
begin to know us because typically in the family court,
in my experience, and I'm writing a memoir about this
as an inside parent and a credible messenger and a
parent advocate. Now, so I'm writing a memoir and I've
been gathering information and have a very long paper trail
that I helped to turn into an actual memoir one
(18:13):
day to talk about things, because right now we're talking
a little bit out of context, but it's very important
what you've asked in court, it's typically a one sided perspective,
so and often unfortunately many of the workers are. I'm
not sure why, you know, it's a whole other issue.
We got to talk to psychoanalysts about that, but many
of them do not like parents. I think they don't
(18:34):
understand I'm talking about at risk parents.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Now.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
It's a difference between typical parents and at risk parents.
I'm an at risk parent. I didn't intend to be one,
but I became an at risk parent. So people who
are very what is an at risk parent and at
risk parent will be a person who is raising children
who have very serious disabilities. They typically are very stigmatized,
like if you have serious mental illness, for example, it's
more stigmatized than if you have autism. But even autism
(18:59):
can be sigmatized, especially for those parents who are raising
children who have severe autism, so they sometimes behavior challenges.
They're picked out of kindergartens, the children that are pushed
out of the schools. So at risk parents are those
not only birth parents. There are grandparents who are raising
those children. Aunts, uncles, cousins, falster and adopted parents are
also raising so they're also at risk.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
I'd like to talk to you, Kevin, and unfortunately we
were running a little bit out of time. But how Kevin,
can Children's First Action Fund help voters make sense of
this these often overlooked elections.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
Yes, thank you, lorrain So. Children First Action Fund recently
published our twenty twenty five Judicial voter Guide that is
up on our website Childrenfirstactionfund dot org and in our
voter guide, we evaluated Supreme and Superior Court decisions that
impact children and families. We evaluated those by justice and
(19:54):
judge that are up for retention. So we really encourage
folks to visit the voter guide and see for your
yourself how these judges and justices ruled on these issues
that impect children and families at the Commonwealth Court and
Court of common Police Family Court level. We invited all
of the candidates and judges up for attention to sit
for an interview with Children First lawyers, family advocates, and
(20:20):
excerpts from those interviews are posted in the guide, and
we also encourage folks to visit the Community of Seventies
voter guide to learn more about the candidates that maybe
we're not a part of our evaluation.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Well, that's so important because, as you indicated before, we
don't pay a lot of attention to the judicial elections,
and we often go into the voting booth not knowing
anything about these candidates and sometimes randomly choose the candidate
of choice for a lot of very personal but not
necessarily well informed reasons. So I'd like the three of
(20:55):
you to just give us a final word, final sentence
the listeners out there who may not realize how important
these judicial elections are, but why people should pay attention. Semeel,
Let's start with you.
Speaker 8 (21:09):
I just always say experience is a good teacher. You
don't never want to be on the other side of
one of these judges and you don't know anything about them,
and it's like, oh, I wish that I had a
judge that you know, we're willing to give my child
a second chance, so we're willing to give you know,
what's a second chance. And they knew the family history
and the family courts if it was more intimate and personal.
(21:30):
So I would just say again, I want to say
thank you to Children's First for doing the research. You know,
so a lot of us, like we said, they'll just
hand you a sheet of paper just pulled straight down.
But no, it's very important nowadays to be an informed voter,
to know who your candidate is and what they stand for,
and have questions of your own, just to know that. Again,
parents have the power, and again be an informed voter
(21:52):
because that makes all the decision in the world, and
it has a huge impact not only for our children,
it also has an impact for our schools, communities, and
the overall judicial system as well, because you would want
to have a judge that is fair and balanced, and
you wouldn't know that if you didn't have the research
and the knowledge about them. So again, parents have the vower,
(22:13):
have the power forgive me and be an informed voter,
not only this election season, but all election seasons. Just
know who you're voting for, and know the candidate and
know if they stand on the same issues that you
agree with.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Regina, what about you?
Speaker 9 (22:25):
Just for the judges that have more compassion to not
just be so quick to punish, to actually teach so
that way the children can learn from the experience and
keep families together.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
Yeah, that's great, And Jasmine, what's your final word?
Speaker 6 (22:42):
Well, of course, as a former foster and adoptive parent
of multiple children, I'd say to the judges is to
not to believe everything they read unfortunately, and to try
their best to find some kind of way to have
a relationship, especially at rich parents realize that a lot
of the children that they're mentioning, they're not mentioning that
they have disabilities.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Well, so, in other words, certainly the judges, but for
the voters, what would you say to them.
Speaker 6 (23:07):
Well, the voters need to know that when you're talking
about the judges, you're also talking about family court and
family quote is where parents lose custody of their children,
and typically they lose permanent custody. That's how they end
up with families like me. And even though I feel
I'm a great parent, but it's the worst place for
children to be in foster current adoption. So let's do
our best to offer resources and supports for birth parents
(23:29):
and even legal parents to keep them at home.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Well, God bless you for taking in these children, because
we know how important it is to have a safe
and loving environment, and we appreciate the fact that you've
taken in so many kids. And Kevin, what is the website?
Speaker 7 (23:43):
For more information, please visit Children First Actionfund dot org.
There you will find a link to our voter guide,
our twenty twenty five election center, and make sure to
vote honor before November fourth.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Absolutely, thank you so much Kevin Burgess, who leads the
outreach and voter education for Children First Action Fund, and
parents Sama Evans Bowling, Regina Brown and Jasmine Banks, each
bringing a unique perspective on how the justice system impacts
kids and families. And be sure to check out that
voter guide and be sure to vote. Last Sunday was
(24:17):
a retrospective celebration for the AIDS Walk Philly, which has ended,
but not before raising millions of dollars for the AIDS Fund,
which provided HIV services, prevention, and advocacy across the Greater
Philadelphia region. I was privileged to speak at the event
and talk about my beginnings covering HIV and AIDS when
I started working at iHeartMedia station Power ninety nine. When
(24:39):
I came to Power ninety nine and nineteen eighty three,
I made a commitment to cover HIV and AIDS responsibly
and compassionately. Mainstream media coverage was limited and when it existed,
often sensationalized. But I knew we needed to tell the truth,
to educate, to dispel fear, and to challenge the stigma
(25:00):
isolated so many. I connected with sister Lorraine Hassana. I
don't know if if you remember her. She founded Bibashi Blacks,
educating Blacks about sexual health issues, one of the first
black led HIV organizations in the nation. She was reaching
communities of color when a few others would, offering support,
information and dignity. I also worked with David Fair and
(25:22):
I wish he was here cause he is one of
my favorite people. At the time, he was working at
the AIDS Activity Coordinating Office to produce ten thousand T
shirts printed with the AIDS hotline number, which we gave
away at our annual Power ninety nine Powerhouse concert. Can
you imagine in the early eighties giving out ten thousand
(25:44):
T shirts with the AIDS hotline on the back at
a hip hop concert. It was incredible. It was a
small way to put life saving information directly into people's hands.
Over the years, I interviewed countless activists, health experts, and
survival people who faced discrimination, rejection, and unimaginable loss.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Yet they never gave up on the fight for awareness,
careness and compassion. I can't remember exactly when parlond and
I enjoyed its first Philadelphia AIDS Walk because I'm older.
Speaker 6 (26:17):
You know, my mother was not.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
The goldish, but it was early For decades when broadcast
live from this event, talking with survivors, families, and advocates,
each story reminding us why this work mattered. The Philadelphia
Aids Walk started in nineteen eighty seven, during the height
of the epidemic. What started as a fundraiser quickly became
(26:38):
a movement, a community of people walking not just for awareness,
but for love, solidarity, and hope. After nearly forty years,
the Walk, of course, is not returning. It's an emotional moment,
as you can see, and a difficult decision. As Evelyn mentioned,
declining sponsorships produced attendance was unsustainable. But there's also something
(27:01):
powerful about this transition. We celebrate its history and honor
everyone who may help make the walk what it was.
Let's remember the Philly Aids Fund, which produced the walk
and raised more than eighteen point five million dollars over
the years to support location than fare for people were.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Really set to by which are being aids?
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Rob Riker, I know you're not here at the moment.
In spirit, you're here and I know you're walking walking
the path in memory of this wonderful event. But thank you,
and you're small but mighty team. The end of AIDS
Walk is bittersweet, yet it's a reflection of progress too.
(27:46):
But when I began reporting on the few of us
imagined that we'd live to see a day when treatments
could turn what was once a death sentence into a
manageable chronic condition to a Medications can suppress the virus
to undetectable levels and even prevent transmission. Research on vaccines
(28:07):
and potential cures are advancing faster than ever. Yet our
work is not over. There's still inequities and care. Stigmas
still exist, Discriminations still exist, Lives are still lost, but
we continue with the courage, compassion and community because we've
seen what's possible when we refuse to look away. So
(28:30):
to borrow, or perhaps misquote the words of the Bingo
verifying Divus, those dazzling chamions, awareness and joy. We won't
stop until there's zero infections, zero deaths, and zero stigma.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and type in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app yy Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrow, and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:16):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Ballad Morrel. Today we're joined by
Children First, a leading advocacy organization. They're launching a vital
information campaign ahead of the upcoming judicial election races that
often fly under the radar but have a major impact
on our families, schools, and communities. We'll share an excerpt
(00:21):
from the AIDS Walk Philly retrospective, celebrating four decades of compassion,
activism and progress. But first we're going to talk about
an exciting upcoming fundraiser that will honor one of entertainment's
true icons. We have an incredible upcoming event, the Mazzoni
Center Honors Melbourne More, happening on Monday, November three at
(00:42):
seven point thirty at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
This star studded celebration will pay tribute to the trailblazing singer, actress,
and Tony Award winning Melbournmore, featuring an all star lineup
of performers across genres from Broadway to r and B
rock and gospel, all in support of Mazzoni's Center's mission
to advances LGBTQ health equity, and I am so excited
(01:04):
to introduce my guests. They include David Weisberg, who's chief
development officer for the Mazzoni Center, the legendary Deanna Williams,
radio personality, music activist in one of Philadelphia's most influential
voices in entertainment, and of course, the legendary Melviamore joining
us all today. Now let's start with you, David, because
(01:26):
let's talk about the reason why we're celebrating, and that
is to support the Mazzoni Center. Briefly, tell us who
you are and who you serve.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Mazzoni Center is a unique organization, not only in Philadelphia,
but in the entire country. We are a comprehensive health
and wellness center serving the LGBTQ community, built on a
model of providing comprehensive, whole person integrated care. This is
our forty sixth year of existence. We now serve fifteen
(01:56):
thousand patients and clients a year, and for many of
the folks who to us for care, we know that
Mazzoni Center is the only place they feel safe coming
for care. If we did not exist, they would simply
go unserved. And we have a core commitment to health
equity making sure that nobody is turned away from care
because they can't afford the cost of care. And that
(02:17):
is what this benefit supports. The funds that we raise
at an event honoring Melbamore will help to save lives
of those who would otherwise never have a place that
they could receive care.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Before we speak to Melburmore, I'm going to have Deanna
set the table for us a little bit. You've been
a part of so many historic moments in music, but
Melbamore is someone who has her career span Broadway. It's
R and B and gospel. I want if you can
tell us what does Melburnmore mean to you? What does
(02:49):
she mean to the music industry as someone who is
right smack and dab in the middle of all that.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Well, first of all, thank you Lorraine so much for
having us on today to speak about melbamore'sis Melbournmore was
one of the first artists that when I was a
young woman growing up in New York, I heard about
her before I got to meet her, because she was
a star on Broadway. We cannot forget and I was
elated when David called me and said, Melburmore is our
(03:15):
honoree this year, and I was like, so richly deserving.
You hear that term, but in this case, so richly
deserving Lorraine because she was a pioneer in Broadway in entertainment.
Melba also had a management company, Hush Productions, which was
the rave everybody talked about, you know, the discovery of
talents like Freddie Jackson. She brought us a cavalcade of artists.
(03:40):
But she is the pride of New Jersey and New
York and people who know know, and people who don't
know are about to find out. I support the mission
of the Mazzoni Center, as David so eloquently stated, forty
six years of providing services to an underrepresented community that
doesn't just or the kind of negativity it gets from
(04:03):
some other communities. These are human beings. These are our
fellow human beings. So we get to honor Melbye Moore,
who has been an advocate for LBGTQIA plus people when
it wasn't popular, when people were not talking about it.
She was there so pioneer and arts and entertainment in business.
We are celebrating a dynamic American woman.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Melville Moore. You have such a storied career and certainly
deserving of so many honors, and yet you chose to
be honored by the Mazzoni Center. And I wonder if
you can tell us why you're allowing the Mazzoni Center
and all the people that are surrounding this event to
embrace you and to honor you. You could be honored
(04:47):
a million different ways, but why did you choose to
be honored by Mazzoni Center.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Well, if I'm going to be honored for something, I
would be honored to be honored for giving healthcare to
people who might otherwise not get it and uniting us
as the human family, and being known for a person
who always did that, if it was behind the scenes
or in front, or wherever I was, to be a
proud member of the whole human family.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Yeah, Melbournmore, you really first broke into our awareness as
a Broadway star, but you've gone on to have tremendous
success in the music business in general. And looking as
you see the arc of your career, what do you
say to young up and coming artists who just beginning
in a very different kind of world of music than
the one that you started out. And I mean, there's
(05:35):
so much that's happening technologically AI and everything like that
with streaming and stuff. I wonder if you had any
thoughts about about what you would tell, you know, people
trying to come up and be like you melbournmore.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Well, first of all, I would listen to them because
the things that they are experiencing. I can't even get
on what do you call this here thing without my
daughter helping. So we had to hear wisdom because we
come from two different time frames and they're very different.
But some of the things that are common is whatever
did you want to do, try to learn about it,
Try to be excellent, excellent at it first, don't worry
(06:09):
about making money or fame. First, get up and do it.
Maybe you don't even quite know what it is, and
people get feedback from people, touch it and relate to
your immediate environment, community with family. And then I would say,
whatever assets you have, such a great assets today in
terms of getting to the public or getting to somebody
outside of your personal circle immediately, and it can be
(06:32):
global immediately. But whatever access you have to that, you
still have to be you. You still have to be excellent,
So keep that in mind. First, I would say that
quality is still the first thing that you have to
have and I think the first thing I would say,
try to be a good human being first.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Absolutely, And I love that you talk about learning from
young people, because that's really the secret probably if you're
a success, and to anyone who's successful, is to never
think that you know everything and to always be learning. Deanna,
I know that because of your incredible reach in the
community of music, you guys have put together an amazing program,
and I wonder if you can briefly tell us who
(07:10):
we're going to be able to experience for this wonderful
tribute to melvinmore Well.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
I will tell you that a couple of my girlfriends,
David gets the credit for putting the program together. I
am merely a part of the program of people who
admire the trail blazing path that melburnmore has created for millions.
I was telling someone recently, you know, people always talk
about Mariah Carey and her five octave range, Minnie Riperton
(07:36):
and her five octave range. But before them, there was
Melbourne Moore and again an actress, an entrepreneur, you know, television, Broadway,
don't leave, let's just the gamut. I don't think Melboa
is an Egott officially, but in my mind she was
an egot before I even learned what the term totally
(07:57):
meant for Emmy Grammy Oscar and you know, because she
is that pioneer. But David gets the credit to Watha Age.
Dear girlfriend, she's on the program, Lisa Fisher. I can't wait.
We're talking about some of the best singers, Lisa, Lisa, Okay, yeah, yeah, David,
(08:20):
go ahead, go ahead.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Breaking news, breaking news here, David. That's great. Deanna gives
you credit for pulling together this really all star lineup,
and it really is amazing. Savvi and Glover for one thing.
You know, I am a big, huge fan of his,
and the list goes on. There's so many people, but
you've put together an amazing program that's going to be
(08:43):
absolutely one hundred percent rich in entertainment and music. And
I wonder if you can just once again tell us
why should people come to this event and how do
they get tickets to this extraordinary tribute to Melbolmore.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
And they should come because it's going to be this
amazing night of music, magic and meaning. Together. Telling Melba's
story through music and weaving in the powerful story of
Mazzoni Center is what we do best, and to do
it just in an extraordinary way, with surprises, with interesting
interpretations of Melba's repertoire. We want to make it as
(09:17):
entertaining for Melba as we do for everybody else, and
it's just going to be an unforgettable night from beginning
to end. You can get tickets at the Kimmel Center
box office or at Mazzonicenter dot org slash.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Honor Yes another and we have tickets Lorraine starting as
low as thirty five dollars for the Marion Anderson Hall
at the Ensemble Arts Campus the Kimmel Center on Broadway,
and so very affordable for what's going to be a
rich evening of celebration. Tribute one of my favorites to Melbour.
(09:50):
I don't know if you know that Savion Glover is
part of the tribute and I'm a huge fan of his.
When David told me Savian, I was like, let's go
the star studied evening of Broadway performers. You know, it's
a mix of people, but David gets the credit for
putting them together. I'm just Katty Jackson.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Patty Jackson is.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
Part of the program as well. Melbourne. We should also
mentioned that you.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Were was and our host is Solidad O'Brien, Yes.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
You've gour host of Solidad ran unbelievable. Well, Melbourne, I'm
sure there are even more surprises that will be unfolded
before your eyes on that extraordinary.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
This is going to be exquisite.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Well, I know that's for sure true, and that is
The Mazzoni Center honors Melbamore Monday, November third, seven thirty
at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to celebrate Melbaymore,
a legend and certainly to be able to experience the
wonderful legendary Deanna Williams and Patty Jackson and offer the
great cause of supporting the Mazzoni Center. I want to
(10:55):
thank you all for joining us. David Weisberg, who is
a Chief Development Officer for Mazone Center, Deanna Williams, the
legendary radio personality, music activist and one of Philadelphia's most
influential voices entertainment, and of course, the one, the only,
the extraordinary Melvinemore, thank you so much for joining us today.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Thanks j Louring.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
As we approach the twenty twenty five elections, the stakes
couldn't be higher for Pennsylvania's children and families decisions made
by our states court to shape everything from school funding
to child welfare to public safety. Joining us are Kevin Burgess,
who leads outreach and voter education for the Children First
Action Fund, along with Parents Samea Evans Bulling, Regina Brown,
(11:46):
and Jasmine Banks, each bringing a unique perspective on how
the justice system impacts kids and families. Together, they're helping
voters understand why judicial elections matter and how to make
informed choices. Is this November, Kevin? Why does the Children
First Action Fund believe judicial elections are so critical to
(12:07):
the future of Pennsylvania's children and families.
Speaker 7 (12:10):
As you mentioned, Pennsylvania's courts make decisions every day that
impacts children and families. They are deciding on things about
like if families can access clean water, what sort of
education students receive, They deal with child welfare issues. So
in nearly every aspect of children in families' lives, the
(12:31):
courts play a role. And here in Pennsylvania, we're incredibly
lucky that we get to choose the judges that sit
on our courts. We're one of the few states in
the country where voters elect judges. However, these elections often
have very low turnout and it can be very challenging
to find information on the candidates. And so you know,
(12:53):
this election season, we have endeavored to evaluate and engage
judicial care candidates so that we can educate the public
and voters can understand where the judges and candidates stand
on issues that impact children and families.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
All Right, we're going to return to that in just
a minute, but I'd like to talk to Sama. As
a parent passionate about education and fair funding, what connections
do you see between our school systems and the decisions
made in the courts.
Speaker 8 (13:21):
Well, I first realized that as a parents have the power,
and I think that a lot of what happens in
the school district and the courts is it's kind of
like a lapse in between because a lot of people
don't know how our judicial system works here and not
only the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but also the city. So
I'm thankful for our organization like Children's First that we
(13:43):
are able to have parent advocacy meetings and info sessions
where we have access to learn about how the judicial
process works. This past school year, I was involved to
be on the Pennsylvania Education Champions and that was a
parent cohort that I did along with people in Harrisburg
that are really fighting to make change and let parents'
voices be heard, because if we don't know these things,
(14:05):
a lot of people don't show up.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
You know.
Speaker 8 (14:07):
Statistics show that with outside of the presidential election, in
a mayoral election, a lot of people forget about things
that are important, like judges and how these everyday decisions
impact not only our lives, our students' lives, and it
carries over as well as to the juvenile justice system,
school funding and things that our schools and our children
need right now. And we still are waiting for a
(14:30):
budget to be passed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so
that's something that is carrying over as well, because as
long as we don't have a budget, things aren't able
to be put in place. And it's just really important
that parents are informed and we are allowed to have
a voice that lets us know that we have organizations
again like Children's First, that let us know what's happening
(14:50):
and how we can make our voices heard not only
in our local courts, but also our state wide courts
because again, as Cavin mentioned, Pennsylvania is one of the
few states where we're a commonwealth where we're allowed to
pick our judges, where in Pennsylvania heavily influences you know
what happens in Washington. So this is a highly hot
election that people need to be made more aware of.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Regina, you've experienced firsthand how the juvenile justice system impacts families.
What changes would you like to see from the bench
to better serve young people.
Speaker 9 (15:17):
I would like to see the young people being able to
stay in their environment, to stay in their neighborhood and
their community, and receive the help and the things that
they need to help them. I guess rebuild rehability, get
mental health services and things like that.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
Can you tell us a little more about how you
relate to this particular issue.
Speaker 9 (15:36):
I have a child that was navigating the juvenile justice system.
He was like put into placement. Now he's in delt prison.
But I also have another son that actually got into
some trouble, and for him the situation was different. He
was offered like first time Offenders program where instead of
like punishing him, as long as he stays out of trouble,
(15:59):
he's able to be introduced to things that we would
like have to normally fight for like mentor programs. He's
in the basketball program, he gets weekly checking.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
So you see how different policies can really impact your
children differently. So your first son had one way of
relating to the juvenile justice system, but your second son,
your other son, is able to navigate in a way
that seems to be more supportive and more able to
get him through the system in a positive way.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Is that right?
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Yes, Well, Jasmine, your experience in family court highlight how
parents and can can sometimes be sidelined. What would a
more compassionate and inclusive court system look like to you?
Speaker 6 (16:44):
Well, thank you for the question, and thank you for
allowing the lived experience to have a voice, and of
course thanks to Children's First for being two champions for children.
So your question in terms of first, let me if
I could surround it. If you will real quickly that
I'm inside parent, so I come from an inside perspective
who's unfortunately had positive and negative experiences within the family court. Well,
(17:09):
a compassionate system would certainly look like having some knowledge
of the lived experience of people, especially who are raising
children with disabilities. For example, I've raised fifteen children and
I adopted five older sons who lived with very very
serious disabilities, so everything from autism and intellectual disabilities to
bipolar schizophrenia and medical issues like in stage COPD, seize
(17:32):
your disorders, etc. So for those families who are very vulnerable,
like me and like Regina mentored, we have children with disabilities,
it's different. So you would hope that people would first
get to get to understand us. It's hard. If you
haven't lived in our shoes, you really may not understand
what it's like to really raise very challenging children who
often aren't liked by the way by the public. So
(17:53):
you hope that the judges would have a relationship with us,
begin to know us because typically in the family court,
in my experience, and I'm writing a memoir about this
as an inside parent and a credible messenger and a
parent advocate. Now, so I'm writing a memoir and I've
been gathering information and have a very long paper trail
that I helped to turn into an actual memoir one
(18:13):
day to talk about things, because right now we're talking
a little bit out of context, but it's very important
what you've asked in court, it's typically a one sided perspective,
so and often unfortunately many of the workers are. I'm
not sure why, you know, it's a whole other issue.
We got to talk to psychoanalysts about that, but many
of them do not like parents. I think they don't
(18:34):
understand I'm talking about at risk parents.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Now.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
It's a difference between typical parents and at risk parents.
I'm an at risk parent. I didn't intend to be one,
but I became an at risk parent. So people who
are very what is an at risk parent and at
risk parent will be a person who is raising children
who have very serious disabilities. They typically are very stigmatized,
like if you have serious mental illness, for example, it's
more stigmatized than if you have autism. But even autism
(18:59):
can be sigmatized, especially for those parents who are raising
children who have severe autism, so they sometimes behavior challenges.
They're picked out of kindergartens, the children that are pushed
out of the schools. So at risk parents are those
not only birth parents. There are grandparents who are raising
those children. Aunts, uncles, cousins, falster and adopted parents are
also raising so they're also at risk.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
I'd like to talk to you, Kevin, and unfortunately we
were running a little bit out of time. But how Kevin,
can Children's First Action Fund help voters make sense of
this these often overlooked elections.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
Yes, thank you, lorrain So. Children First Action Fund recently
published our twenty twenty five Judicial voter Guide that is
up on our website Childrenfirstactionfund dot org and in our
voter guide, we evaluated Supreme and Superior Court decisions that
impact children and families. We evaluated those by justice and
(19:54):
judge that are up for retention. So we really encourage
folks to visit the voter guide and see for your
yourself how these judges and justices ruled on these issues
that impect children and families at the Commonwealth Court and
Court of common Police Family Court level. We invited all
of the candidates and judges up for attention to sit
for an interview with Children First lawyers, family advocates, and
(20:20):
excerpts from those interviews are posted in the guide, and
we also encourage folks to visit the Community of Seventies
voter guide to learn more about the candidates that maybe
we're not a part of our evaluation.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Well, that's so important because, as you indicated before, we
don't pay a lot of attention to the judicial elections,
and we often go into the voting booth not knowing
anything about these candidates and sometimes randomly choose the candidate
of choice for a lot of very personal but not
necessarily well informed reasons. So I'd like the three of
(20:55):
you to just give us a final word, final sentence
the listeners out there who may not realize how important
these judicial elections are, but why people should pay attention. Semeel,
Let's start with you.
Speaker 8 (21:09):
I just always say experience is a good teacher. You
don't never want to be on the other side of
one of these judges and you don't know anything about them,
and it's like, oh, I wish that I had a
judge that you know, we're willing to give my child
a second chance, so we're willing to give you know,
what's a second chance. And they knew the family history
and the family courts if it was more intimate and personal.
(21:30):
So I would just say again, I want to say
thank you to Children's First for doing the research. You know,
so a lot of us, like we said, they'll just
hand you a sheet of paper just pulled straight down.
But no, it's very important nowadays to be an informed voter,
to know who your candidate is and what they stand for,
and have questions of your own, just to know that. Again,
parents have the power, and again be an informed voter
(21:52):
because that makes all the decision in the world, and
it has a huge impact not only for our children,
it also has an impact for our schools, communities, and
the overall judicial system as well, because you would want
to have a judge that is fair and balanced, and
you wouldn't know that if you didn't have the research
and the knowledge about them. So again, parents have the vower,
(22:13):
have the power forgive me and be an informed voter,
not only this election season, but all election seasons. Just
know who you're voting for, and know the candidate and
know if they stand on the same issues that you
agree with.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Regina, what about you?
Speaker 9 (22:25):
Just for the judges that have more compassion to not
just be so quick to punish, to actually teach so
that way the children can learn from the experience and
keep families together.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
Yeah, that's great, And Jasmine, what's your final word?
Speaker 6 (22:42):
Well, of course, as a former foster and adoptive parent
of multiple children, I'd say to the judges is to
not to believe everything they read unfortunately, and to try
their best to find some kind of way to have
a relationship, especially at rich parents realize that a lot
of the children that they're mentioning, they're not mentioning that
they have disabilities.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Well, so, in other words, certainly the judges, but for
the voters, what would you say to them.
Speaker 6 (23:07):
Well, the voters need to know that when you're talking
about the judges, you're also talking about family court and
family quote is where parents lose custody of their children,
and typically they lose permanent custody. That's how they end
up with families like me. And even though I feel
I'm a great parent, but it's the worst place for
children to be in foster current adoption. So let's do
our best to offer resources and supports for birth parents
(23:29):
and even legal parents to keep them at home.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Well, God bless you for taking in these children, because
we know how important it is to have a safe
and loving environment, and we appreciate the fact that you've
taken in so many kids. And Kevin, what is the website?
Speaker 7 (23:43):
For more information, please visit Children First Actionfund dot org.
There you will find a link to our voter guide,
our twenty twenty five election center, and make sure to
vote honor before November fourth.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Absolutely, thank you so much Kevin Burgess, who leads the
outreach and voter education for Children First Action Fund, and
parents Sama Evans Bowling, Regina Brown and Jasmine Banks, each
bringing a unique perspective on how the justice system impacts
kids and families. And be sure to check out that
voter guide and be sure to vote. Last Sunday was
(24:17):
a retrospective celebration for the AIDS Walk Philly, which has ended,
but not before raising millions of dollars for the AIDS Fund,
which provided HIV services, prevention, and advocacy across the Greater
Philadelphia region. I was privileged to speak at the event
and talk about my beginnings covering HIV and AIDS when
I started working at iHeartMedia station Power ninety nine. When
(24:39):
I came to Power ninety nine and nineteen eighty three,
I made a commitment to cover HIV and AIDS responsibly
and compassionately. Mainstream media coverage was limited and when it existed,
often sensationalized. But I knew we needed to tell the truth,
to educate, to dispel fear, and to challenge the stigma
(25:00):
isolated so many. I connected with sister Lorraine Hassana. I
don't know if if you remember her. She founded Bibashi Blacks,
educating Blacks about sexual health issues, one of the first
black led HIV organizations in the nation. She was reaching
communities of color when a few others would, offering support,
information and dignity. I also worked with David Fair and
(25:22):
I wish he was here cause he is one of
my favorite people. At the time, he was working at
the AIDS Activity Coordinating Office to produce ten thousand T
shirts printed with the AIDS hotline number, which we gave
away at our annual Power ninety nine Powerhouse concert. Can
you imagine in the early eighties giving out ten thousand
(25:44):
T shirts with the AIDS hotline on the back at
a hip hop concert. It was incredible. It was a
small way to put life saving information directly into people's hands.
Over the years, I interviewed countless activists, health experts, and
survival people who faced discrimination, rejection, and unimaginable loss.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Yet they never gave up on the fight for awareness,
careness and compassion. I can't remember exactly when parlond and
I enjoyed its first Philadelphia AIDS Walk because I'm older.
Speaker 6 (26:17):
You know, my mother was not.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
The goldish, but it was early For decades when broadcast
live from this event, talking with survivors, families, and advocates,
each story reminding us why this work mattered. The Philadelphia
Aids Walk started in nineteen eighty seven, during the height
of the epidemic. What started as a fundraiser quickly became
(26:38):
a movement, a community of people walking not just for awareness,
but for love, solidarity, and hope. After nearly forty years,
the Walk, of course, is not returning. It's an emotional moment,
as you can see, and a difficult decision. As Evelyn mentioned,
declining sponsorships produced attendance was unsustainable. But there's also something
(27:01):
powerful about this transition. We celebrate its history and honor
everyone who may help make the walk what it was.
Let's remember the Philly Aids Fund, which produced the walk
and raised more than eighteen point five million dollars over
the years to support location than fare for people were.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Really set to by which are being aids?
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Rob Riker, I know you're not here at the moment.
In spirit, you're here and I know you're walking walking
the path in memory of this wonderful event. But thank you,
and you're small but mighty team. The end of AIDS
Walk is bittersweet, yet it's a reflection of progress too.
(27:46):
But when I began reporting on the few of us
imagined that we'd live to see a day when treatments
could turn what was once a death sentence into a
manageable chronic condition to a Medications can suppress the virus
to undetectable levels and even prevent transmission. Research on vaccines
(28:07):
and potential cures are advancing faster than ever. Yet our
work is not over. There's still inequities and care. Stigmas
still exist, Discriminations still exist, Lives are still lost, but
we continue with the courage, compassion and community because we've
seen what's possible when we refuse to look away. So
(28:30):
to borrow, or perhaps misquote the words of the Bingo
verifying Divus, those dazzling chamions, awareness and joy. We won't
stop until there's zero infections, zero deaths, and zero stigma.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and type in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app yy Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrow, and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:16):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
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